Microsoft replaces “Judea and Samaria” label with “West Bank” on location services
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Microsoft has updated its location-based services, including the Bing search engine and mapping platforms, to replace ‘Israeli’ geographic labels in the occupied West Bank with internationally recognized Palestinian terminology.
Locations previously listed under “Judea and Samaria, Israel” now appear simply as “West Bank,” with ‘Israeli’ attribution removed from these Palestinian areas.
The changes were confirmed on April 27, by the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media (7amleh), a Palestinian digital rights organization.
Following months of documentation, direct engagement, and advocacy, 7amleh secured the updates across Microsoft’s geolocation infrastructure.
Independent checks of Bing Maps have verified that the new “West Bank” label is now in use.
“Judea and Samaria” is a term rooted in biblical history that ‘Israeli’ authorities and settler movements use to refer to the West Bank.
Palestinian advocates and international bodies view it as misleading because it implies annexation and contradicts the prevailing international legal consensus that the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is occupied Palestinian territory.
7amleh described the update as “a necessary correction” that aligns digital mapping with international law.
Advocacy Manager Lama Nazeeh stated: “We now call on all platforms and companies to respect international law and stop participating in the digital erasure of Palestinian geography and the normalization of annexation in the occupied West Bank.”
The group said it will continue monitoring Microsoft’s platforms for full accountability.
Microsoft has not issued an official statement on the changes.
Tech companies increasingly face criticism, and sometimes legal or activist pressure, over how their maps and search results shape public understanding of disputed territories.
Similar debates have involved Google, Apple, and other platforms regarding labels for the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israeli settlements.
The timing coincides with ongoing tensions in the region, including reports of accelerated settlement activity and settler violence in the West Bank.
